A Welwyn Garden City rock painting group is determined to continue their World War I commemorations after one member’s display was damaged.
Welwyn Garden City ‘Rocks’ - often known by their hashtag #WGCRocks - hide beautifully painted rocks around town for others to find and re-hide.
Their Facebook group, with over 2,500 members, posts and share pictures of the pretty finds all around town.
They often do special projects for seasonal events, such as their Halloween project which ended up with over 600 stones.
But as the centenary of the First World War approaches, a commemorative display has been vandalised.
In Sherrardspark Woods, a sign to Welwyn Garden City’s fallen is damaged and has a footprint, making it look as though it was kicked.
The sign marks an incredible 200 poppy-painted rocks lodged at regular intervals all along the fence by the pathway for walkers to see.
“This was my tribute to the fallen,” said #WGCRocks member Nigel Parker, who said he’s going to replace the damaged sign. “I was saddened to see what someone did.”
Another rock line, in Welwyn Garden City’s Howardsgate, has been set up near the war memorial, and will culminate on November 11.
The rocks are painted with poppies, poetry verses, and names of some of the fallen soldiers of the Great War.
Jane explained that members will add rocks around the edge of the memorial in the days leading up to the centenary, after which point people can take them to rehide or take home.
The group hopes that this tribute won’t be disrespected.
“We always worry they will get taken but regardless, we always seem to do well,” said Jane.
To get involved and learn more about eco-friendly ways of painting rocks, see their Facebook group at: www.facebook.com/groups/342136449558009
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